Ortiz vs Berto II: Ortiz's Trainer Would Take Fights With Mayweather, Cotto, or Canelo Next

In an interview with Chris Robinson of the Examiner, Victor Ortiz's trainer Danny Garcia says that his fighter is training well for his June 23 rematch with Andre Berto on Showtime from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, and that after they're done with that fight, a move to 154 pounds may happen, as there are big-name fighters at the weight that Garcia would love to match Ortiz against.

"I know we can beat Cotto and I would also like to fight Canelo, because Canelo is a 154-pounder but Victor can go up to 154 pounds easy. He’s big and I know we can beat Canelo, but that’s not going to happen. Canelo is 21 years of age and I don’t think they’re going to put him against Victor. We’ll fight Canelo, we’ll fight Cotto or we’ll fight Mayweather."

... "We still have a big fight to go and it's not over. Berto is a dangerous fighter and he's good. But I think we're not going to have any problems."

Ortiz (29-3-2, 22 KO) hasn't fought since his controversial, somewhat hilarious, somewhat maddening loss to Floyd Mayweather in September of last year, as the original February date for Ortiz-Berto II was scrapped when Berto injured his bicep in training.

The fighter recently had some comments about Canelo Alvarez which some took as disrespect, but Garcia here says only that Canelo is "going to be a great fighter" but still has a lot he can improve, which I think is perfectly fair, and I say that as a stated Canelo fan and supporter, someone who really believes we're seeing an elite-level fighter in the making, buying into the hype and drinking the red Kool-Aid and all.

I know I rag on Ortiz and his godawful phony interviews, but as I've said before, it's nothing to do with Ortiz in the ring, where I think he has phenomenal talent. In fact, if Ortiz didn't have the mental problems that he's exhibited a few times, I think he's also capable of being an elite-level fighter. Physically, he has no problems -- big, sturdy southpaw, good boxing skills, big-time power in both hands, a good chin, and some recuperative powers that he showed against Berto last year. Victor Ortiz is a guy I'll go out of my way to watch fight. Part of that is because I have no idea what might happen with him in any given fight. He's a major wild card.

So with that in mind, I like all of those fights -- even a Mayweather rematch. I've never been quite as down on that as some, but I also don't believe it's as in-demand as Garcia lets on. If Ortiz is really impressive against Berto in June, maybe the idea will be more popular. Maybe not. I don't know. The Cotto and Canelo fights are both great, though. I would have to figure Ortiz goes up to 154 very easily. At this point, it's a marvel to me he was ever making 140, as he looks like a different guy at 147, more natural.